Chapter 7 Study Guide

The Roman Empire

Early Empire

• Augustus Caesar as General (Primaporta Augustus), early 1st century CE

• Ara Pacis Augustae (Altar of Augustan Peace), c.13-9 BCE
• Pont-du-Gard, Nimes, c. 16 BCE
• Colosseum (Flavian Amphitheatre), c. 70-80 CE

High Empire

• Column of Trajan, dedicated 112 CE
• Portrait bust of Hadrian, c. 117-120 CE
• Pantheon, 118-125 CE
• Equestrian Statue of Marcus Aurelius, c. 175 CE

Late Empire

• Bust of Caracalla, c. 211-117 CE
• The Four Tetrarchs, c. 305 CE
• Arch of Constantine, 312-315 CE
• Colossal Head of Constantine, c. 315-330 CE

1. Who were the two legendary founders of Rome?

2. Which two cultures most strongly influenced the art of the Roman Empire?

3. What technological advancement allowed the Romans to build in a more innovative manner and on a grander scale (without the necessity for internal support) than other ancient civilizations?

4. What is verism?

5. Augustus ‘found Rome a city of __________ and transformed it into a city of __________.’

6. What event did the relief panels from inside the passageway of the Arch of Titus commemorate?

7. The Treasury of Atreus was the largest dome in the ancient world for over a thousand years. Which dome of Roman construction finally surpassed it?

8. What is a likely explanation for the dramatic increase in sarcophagus production in the second century CE?

9. Portraits of the Tetrarchs were very different from portraits of leaders from the Early and High Empire. Describe the differences and explain why this change occurred.

10. Who was the first Christian emperor of the Roman Empire?

The Vesuvian Sites

Pompeii and Herculaneum

• Atrium, House of the Vetii, 2nd century BC
• Dionysiac Mystery Frieze, Villa of the Mysteries, c. 60-50 BC

1. What catastrophic event allowed the preservation of the sites near the Bay of Naples, such as Pompeii and Herculaneum?

2. Describe each of the Four Styles of Roman painting.

3. What is a still-life painting?